Botanically, catalox(Swartzia cubensis) belongs to the legume family. The species is related to Pao Rosa(S. fistuloides, East Africa). Katalox has a very limited distribution area in which the species only occurs sporadically (southeast of Mexico).
Sapwood cream to eggshell white, clearly set off from the heartwood. In some trees, the heartwood does not set in for decades, i.e. a mature tree contains no (colored) heartwood. The heartwood itself is richly varied when fresh, from pink to purple to reddish brown. Darkening to blue-black to brown-black over the years. The wood is homogeneous and fine-pored. Interlocking growth and bars occur sporadically. Decorative to very decorative.
The spec. weight is specified as 0.95 – 1.10 t/m3 at a wood moisture content of u=12%, the tangential shrinkage is specified as 8%, the radial shrinkage as 4.5%. Drying must be slow and gentle, as Katalox, like other woods of this density, tends to crack. Katalox is easy to machine with carbide-tipped tools. The dust from Katalox can irritate mucous membranes. Good polishability, smooth surfaces are produced. Katalox is extremely hard and abrasion-resistant. The Brinell hardness is approx. 55 N/mm2. Katalox is very durable (used in the construction of Mayan pyramids).
Due to its limited availability, it can only be used as a special wood; for components of plucked instruments, stick bows, billiard cues, turnery, etc.
Ebony, rosewood, etc.
References:
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Classical guitar, Stevens Custom Guitars |
Sources:
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Trop. Forestry Pap.No.20 (1990) Mex.& Belizian Timbers, OFI-Oxford |
